Path of the Gods from Agerola: a local's complete guide

The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) starts in Bomerano, a village of Agerola, and ends in Nocelle, above Positano. It is about 7.8 km and takes around 2 hours, almost all gently downhill, with the sea of the Amalfi Coast below you the whole way. From Nocelle you get down to Positano on foot or by bus. Walk it in this direction, from Agerola towards Positano: that way you go downhill and the view is always in front of you.

My name is Sebastiano, I live in Agerola and my B&B, Costa Blu, is 50 metres from the start of the trail. Every morning I see hikers from all over the world setting off, and every evening I hear their stories. In this guide I tell you everything you need to know before you go.

The Path of the Gods at a glance

Start: Bomerano (Agerola), piazza Paolo Capasso
Finish: Nocelle (Positano), then Positano
Length: about 7.8 km to Nocelle
Time: about 2 hours to Nocelle without stops; 3 hours or more with breaks for photos
Elevation: from about 650 m down to about 430 m, so mostly downhill with a few short climbs
Difficulty: hiking trail (E): you don’t need to be sporty, but you do need good shoes and some walking experience
Waymarks: red and white, with the number 02
Cost: free

How to get to the trailhead

The trail starts in piazza Paolo Capasso, in the centre of Bomerano. If you come by bus, the SITA stop “Bomerano piazza” is right at the start. Careful: Bomerano has more than one stop, and buses coming up from Amalfi don’t pass “Bomerano piazza”. In that case get off at the “Bomerano” stop and walk to the square.

If you come by car, you can leave it in the public car park and take the road alongside it: at the sports ground turn right and you are on the trail. My advice, though, is to go through the square anyway: that’s where the shops are, so you can buy water and have a sandwich made for the day.

If you stay at Costa Blu you need none of this: step out of the door, walk 50 metres and you are on the trail. That’s why so many hikers choose to sleep here the night before.

The route, section by section

From Bomerano to the Colle Serra junction. The first stretch leaves the village between vegetable gardens and terraces, and within minutes the coast opens up below you. Here there is a fork: the upper path and the lower path. The lower one is the busiest and the most panoramic; the upper one is quieter, with a few more ups and downs. If it’s your first time, follow the lower path, the classic one.

The central section. This is the heart of the trail: it runs along the mountainside, high above the sea, with Positano, Praiano and the Faraglioni of Capri ahead of you. There are rocky patches and short stretches of stone steps: nothing dangerous, but watch your step and stop when you want to take photos.

Arriving in Nocelle. The trail ends in Nocelle, a tiny village clinging to the mountain above Positano, a good place to rest before the last part.

From Nocelle to Positano

There are three ways down from Nocelle to Positano. Let me tell you straight away which one to avoid.

Avoid: the staircase to Arienzo. It’s the best-known way down, around 1,500-1,700 steps, but it leaves you in Arienzo, on the main coast road: from there you have to walk to Positano along a narrow, busy road with no pavement. It’s dangerous, and I always advise my guests against it.
On foot via Montepertuso (my advice). From Nocelle carry on to the village of Montepertuso; from there another staircase takes you down to the edge of Positano without using the main road.
By bus. A local bus links Nocelle (and Montepertuso) with the centre of Positano, roughly every hour; you pay on board. It’s the right choice if your knees are tired.

How to get back to Agerola

Everyone asks me this, and it’s worth thinking about before you set off. The easiest way is:

from Positano take the ferry to Amalfi (about 25 minutes, and seeing the coast from the sea is the perfect end to the day);
from Amalfi take the SITA bus to Agerola.

Alternatively you can do it all by SITA bus, from Positano to Amalfi and from Amalfi to Agerola, but in summer the traffic on the coast road can make it much slower.

You’ll find all the details in my guide How to get back to Agerola after the Path of the Gods.

When to hike the Path of the Gods

The best months are April, May, June, September and October: pleasant temperatures, long days and the Mediterranean scrub in flower in spring. You can do it in summer, but the trail is almost entirely in the sun: set off early, by 8-9 am, to avoid the midday heat and the crowds. In winter the days are short and ferries to Amalfi don’t run every day, so check carefully how you’ll get back.

After days of rain some stretches can be slippery: if in doubt, ask someone who lives here.

What to bring

Hiking boots or trainers with a good grip (no sandals or flip-flops)
At least 1.5 litres of water per person, more in summer
Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
A snack or a sandwich
A light jacket in spring and autumn, when it can be windy up high
Cash for the Nocelle bus, which you pay on board, and for a coffee
Your SITA bus ticket for the way back: buy it at a tobacconist (tabaccheria) or with the Unico Campania app, not on the bus
A charged phone, for the photos

Mistakes to avoid

Starting late in summer. At 1 pm in July the sun on this trail is really strong.
Doing it backwards, from Positano. You can, but it means climbing the Nocelle steps and walking with the view behind you.
Not knowing how to get back. Check the times of the last ferry and the last bus before you leave.
Going down from Nocelle to Arienzo. You’d end up walking on the busy main road: go via Montepertuso or take the bus.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Path of the Gods difficult? Not if you’re used to walking. It’s a hiking trail, mostly downhill, but the ground is uneven and there are some steps: you need proper shoes and a little fitness.

Can I do it with children? Yes, with children who are used to walking, holding their hand on the more exposed stretches. With small children it’s best to walk just the first part and turn back.

Do I need a guide? No, the trail is well marked and busy. A guide can be nice if you want to learn about the history and nature of the area.

Can I bring my dog? Yes, many hikers walk it with their dogs. Keep yours on a lead on the narrow stretches and bring water for it too.

How long does it take in total, from Agerola to Positano? About 2 hours to Nocelle without stops, plus the walk down via Montepertuso or the bus to Positano. Allow half a day, or a full day if you want to enjoy Positano.

Stay at the start of the Path of the Gods

To hike the trail at a relaxed pace, the best thing is to sleep in Agerola the night before: you set off early and rested, without hours of bus or car behind you.

Costa Blu is 50 metres from the start of the trail, in the centre of Bomerano. The rooms have private bathrooms, breakfast is included and before you leave I’m happy to give you all my tips on the route, the weather and getting back.

«I stayed here before hiking the Path of the Gods trail. Very close to the trail entrance! The room was beautifully designed and very clean.» — Sebastian, Germany, August 2026

«Accogliente e pulitissima, posizionata benissimo a pochi passi dall’inizio del Sentiero degli Dei… Sebastiano dà consigli preziosi, consigliatissimi!» (Welcoming and spotless, perfectly located a few steps from the start of the Path of the Gods… Sebastiano gives precious advice, highly recommended!) — Chiara, Italy, October 2026

Information checked on 31/10/2026. Bus and ferry timetables change with the seasons: always check them before you go.